Government strategy -- to whose benefit, with what participation, and based on what
assumptions?

"Ministry seeks to raise fish exports", May 8, 2004, Daily Nation. We commend the proposal to spend KSh 200 million for a
patrol plane but existing trawler enforcement resources should also be made to do their job.

"Govt to boost fishing in Coast", June 22, 2004, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation. To quote the article, "The government plans
to put up two modern fish ports in both Malindi and Mombasa so as to exploit the huge potential of the fisheries sub sector in
the coast."

We humbly suggest that:
a) the "huge potential" should not be stolen or bribed away by outsiders, leaving us with social turmoil and no fish in a few
short years.
b) channelling available government resources into enforcing a level playing field and developing sustainable livelihoods for
our thousands of existing poor fishermen would put far more money into the local economy with a far broader base and greater
multiplier effects.
c) the Government of Kenya should not work against itself by promoting industrialisation at one of its most remunerative tourist
locations and by poisoning the Malindi Marine National Park. Development yes, but for the traditional fishermen and with the
traditional fishermen!